Working for a Radio Station in UK, Abraham Fernandes’s priorities were travelling,
learning new things and financial stability. Prior to this, he had worked for
media houses and radio stations in Goa. “Comparatively, the work environment
for this specific job was good in Goa, in terms of more creative liberty and
professionalism. It felt more comfortable to work in Goa for me but it might
differ for others depending on how early they moved to the UK and what
facilities and level of comfort they had. After my audio engineering, I looked
for a government job as a sound operator in art and culture. I wasn’t
successful in that, however I managed to get private jobs in media houses,”
says Abraham.
Flynn Vas studied and
started working in the United Kingdom as his family had migrated to Southall,
London from Agassaim, Goa much earlier. He works as a Material Requirement
Planner and appreciates the equality of work in the UK. “Workplace equality and
diversity in the UK cannot be compared with any other country. UK practises a
fair treating policy for people at work regardless of gender, race, disability,
religion, nationality, sexual orientation or age. It is an employer’s duty to
protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who
might be affected by their business,” says Flynn.
A budding musician in
Goa, Eddie Fernandes had to put his career ahead of his passion. Working in
Hounslow, London as a Senior Financial Analyst for a travel company, he first
worked in Dubai before moving to the UK. “Being in Dubai or overseas has given me
value, which you do not get in Goa. You are saturated in terms of creativity
and innovation. Being in a modern city with full new surprises pushes you to
work more. Moving to a new place in India and acclimatising to a new language
was a big no-no for me,” says Eddie. He enjoys the homely environment in the UK
as he lives with his cousins. He is soon to be married and plans on taking his
spouse to the UK to.
From working in the
Middle East for six years, Roger Fernandes from Parra can compare his work experience
over the years in different countries. Besides the financial stability, Roger
acknowledges the dignity of labour that is valued in UK. “One can see and
follow organised ways of living as compared to Goa. Work wise, Middle East
would be a better deal if the economy would not have a deep slide in recent
years. There is dignity in any job that you do and you are also paid equally,
whereas in Goa, there would be differences and discouragement to do menial
jobs. UK is more organised; people carry social responsibility as their top
priority,” says Roger, who now works as an account executive in Harlington,
London.
Gladson Afonso from
Panjim moved to the UK immediately after graduation. He works as a store
manager in Harrow, London and enjoys the work ethics followed in the UK. “There
is a strict policy at every work place. The law around health and safety,
mental health, paid time off (paid holidays) and no discrimination. Everything
has a process that is followed, which gives you peace of mind to work. There
are policies and procedures, legal implications in place protecting us. There
are a lot of opportunities for people to prosper and change their life,”
explains Gladson.
Currently, working as
a managing director of an online retail store, Michael Fernandes from Mapusa
travelled to the UK for postgraduate studies. “I took up various jobs from
customer service to counting people on the tram (that was a fun and easy one).
I have searched for jobs and worked in Goa and Mumbai for two years before
coming here for further studies. I do miss those experiences and sometimes
think I should have stayed in India, at least I would have been in touch with
my best friends. Every place has its pros and cons though,” says Michael.
He further explains
why he prefers working in the UK. “I feel comfortable working here. All
employees are entitled to basic employment rights such as minimum wages, rest
breaks, paid holiday, right to be treated fairly, free from any discrimination,
etc.”
For Nikhil Naik from
Panjim, the opportunities are of key importance. He feels that compared to Goa,
he has better chances of employment there. He currently works at DHL as a
warehouse operative in Swindon, England. “I know for sure that I wouldn’t have
been able to make much money in a country where you don’t even have equal
opportunities when it comes to employment. Coming to the UK opened my eyes to a
whole new world that one cannot even imagine staying back in Goa. I owe it to
my parents who persuaded me to come here as I was coming of age and couldn’t
find a secure job. As a citizen, you feel secured when it comes to living in
the society,” explains Nikhil.
Luvena D’Cunha moved
from Mapusa to the UK to join her husband and she now works as a health care
assistant. She had a secure job in Goa but due to complications in her
pregnancy in the UK, she had to stay back. “I did have a good job in Goa and I
was happy. I visited my husband during vacations but as I had complications in
my pregnancy, I couldn’t travel back. I asked my workplace in Goa to extend my
leave, which they couldn’t do, so I decided to stay back in the UK. The jobs
here are big money and I feel comfortable working in here. But I still love my
Goa and would be happy to work again in Goa,” says Luvena, who is now a proud
mother of one son.
Little do those who
feel that the urge to move to the UK or Europe for that matter would diminish
once Brexit sets in making it difficult for those with Portuguese passports to
enter Britain, realise that it’s not merely the convenience of getting into UK
with a red passport, that lures the young Goan. He or she, actually finds it
the most natural course, since settling in or looking for importunities in
other Indian towns is low or negligible in their to do list.
The
hard truth is, the rest of India is more alien to the Goan youth than Europe or
UK is.
